HCMC implements slew of metro projects

SGGPMonday, February 11, 2019 13:15

Besides the first and second metro lines, Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien and Ben Thanh-Tham Luong, HCMC has been implementing a slew of other metro line projects, according to HCMC Urban Railway Management Board (MAUR).

They comprise the first phase of metro line no.5 from Bay Hien crossroads to Saigon Bridge with the total length of 8.9 kilometers including 1.4 kilometers on the ground, 7.5 kilometers underground and nine stops.

The project capital is expected to be financed by loans from the Spanish government, Asian Development Bank, European Investment Bank (EIB), KfW Development Bank. Total investment funds is expected to reach US$1.92 billion. Currently, MAUR is doing procedures to ask for investment policy according to opinions from the State Assessment Council.

The second phase of the second metro line with two stretches Ben Thanh-Thu Thiem and Tham Luong-Tay Ninh have the total length of 9.1 kilometers and nine stations. Total investment capital is expected to reach $1.48 billion. The European Commission has agreed to finance EUR6 million to conduct feasibility study for the project. At present, HCMC is working with KfW Bank to prepare procedures for receiving the assistant funds.

Metro line no.3a Ben Thanh-Tan Kien has three phases. The first phase stretches along 9.89 kilometers from Ben Thanh to Mien Tay coach station, including 10 stations and being expected to cost VND$1.82 billion. The second phase from Mien Tay coach station to Tan Kien station has the total length of 9.69 kilometers, seven stations and investment cost of $1 billion. Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA) has provided technical assistance for the project and JICA consulted pre-feasibility documents have been done since May 2017. MAUR has consulted the city People’s Committee on submitting the proposal to build the project to the Ministry of Planning and Investment.

Metro line no.4 from Thanh Xuan to Hiep Phuoc urban area is 35.75 kilometers long with 32 stations. Total cost is expected to be $4.57 billion. So far, three investors have showed their attention to the project comprising Export-Import Bank of Korea (Kexim), GS E&C Company and the joint venture between Lung Lo Construction Corporation and Mosmetrostrov Company. They are considering study to propose the project.

Metro route 4b from Gia Dinh park to Lang Cha Ca roundabout stretches along 3.5 kilometers with three stations and capital expected to be $0.8 billion. KEXIM will provide non-refundable capital to implement technical assistance to conduct pre-feasibility study for the first phase along 1.7 kilometers from Tan Son Nhat Airport to Hoang Van Thu park.

The second phase of metro line no.5 from new Can Giuoc coach station to Bay Hien crossroads has the total length of 14.5 kilometers, 13 stations and investment cost of US$2.105 billion. Two investors have been interested in this project including the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) who is completing pre-feasibility study documents of the project, Korean Lotte E&C Company who is studying construction of the stretch from University of Medicine and Pharmacy station to new Can Giuoc coach station under Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.

Monorail no.2 project from Highway 50 to Binh Quoi urban area is 27.2 kilometer long with investment cost expected to reach $0.72 billion. HCMC People’s Committee and Korean Busan city government signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to implement pre-feasibility study using non-refundable Official Development Assistance (ODA) capital from KOICA in May 2017. The two sides are doing next investment study procedures.

Moreover, MAUR has been calling on investment for projects below:

The first is 12.2 kilometers long metro line no.3b from Cong Hoa crossroads to Hiep Binh Phuoc ward in Thu Duc along with ten stations and investment cost expected to reach $1.87 billion.

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Chairman of HCMC People’s Committee Nguyen Thanh Phong and his deputy Tran Vinh Tuyen yesterday inspected the construction site of the first metro line, Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien, in efforts to solve difficulties for the project to be built on schedule by 2020.